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May 2008 God’s Answers to Our Questions about Church
If you’ve ever watched the movie about the late coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, staring the Oscar winning actor Ernest Borgnine as the legendary coach, you may recall a very memorable scene. The Packers had played a terrible game for their new coach showing a dreadful lack of discipline in executing the fundamentals of football. At their next team meeting Coach Lombardi said that the team played so sloppy and showed such poor execution that what was needed was a complete relearning of the basics of the game. So he said they were going to start right then. Gentlemen, he then said, this is a football. One of the players raised his hand and said, Coach, could you go a little slower? Lombardi burst out laughing as he realized his joke had been one-upped by a player. But the point had been well-taken. A team that forgets to master the fundamentals cannot possibly win many football games.
There is a lesson in this for every church. Sometimes churches can take for granted the fundamentals of “doing church.” We can be so busy with our weekly programs and all that needs to be done that we may forget or neglect some of the fundamentals. Churches can become imbalanced and actually weak because some of the basics are ignored or downplayed. When that happens we can’t be effective in “playing the game” so-to-speak for our Lord which has eternal results, not simply seasonal results like in football. What we need to do from time to time is review the fundamentals of “doing church.”
That’s what I want us to do in a new series of messages I’ll be introducing in May entitled “God’s Answers to Our Questions about Church.” In an article in Decision magazine my old “Prof” Howard Hendricks wrote this, “The people in the Early Church never became fogged as to their purpose; they knew why they were here instead of in heaven. Do we?. . . One of the greatest weaknesses in the Church today is a lack of biblical strategy, of understanding not only what to do and how to do it but, most important, why we do what we do. What is the function of the church? What is our unique purpose? How do we accomplish it?
That’s what I want to talk about in this series of messages. We could call this a biblical philosophy of ministry. Our goal is to sharpen our focus from Scripture on the following questions:
Along the way we will look at some very fundamental passages like the Great Commission in detail. We will also pull out our church mission statement, examine it together in the light of Scripture, and rededicate ourselves to God’s calling for Bethel. We have a new building. PTL! Now what does God want us to do with it? Let’s discover that afresh together.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}). About Pastor Oberg Sermon Notes
March 2008 Observations on Why God Permits Us to Suffer Adversity
Recently I shared in church on the trial that our dear brother Joe Thompson went through unexpectedly with his new job in Duluth. Because of his student status in the U.S. he needed to have a sponsor until he could get a more permanent worker status. The hospital that had offered him a job agreed to be his sponsor. But then at the last minute the lawyers recommended the hospital not sponsor Joe but give the job to someone who already had the required worker status. After the lengthy process of applications, visits, promises, etc., Joe was told he was not being offered the job. It was a crushing blow to say the least.
What was most troubling to Joe was that it seemed clear that God was in this. His leading appeared to be so unmistakable that Joe stayed in the area to pursue this job rather than moving elsewhere to start his career search. Why would God lead so clearly in one direction only to allow it to fall through in the end? It just didn’t make sense. Joe’s question, of course, is the question we all face when God doesn’t seem to make sense. James Dobson wrote a book on that very question entitled When God Doesn’t Make Sense. We all face reversals in life that do not seem to make sense to us.
As Joe and I talked he wondered if I had some perspective that could encourage him. Not knowing what God was doing or why He had allowed this, I gave Joe some general truths that seemed to help about why God permits adversity. If you were in church that Sunday I shared this, you know how the story turned out. Before I remind you, let’s look at the principles that help me when it seems that God doesn’t make sense?
What God does in us is more
important than what God does through us. This lesson was
shared with me by a dear mentor of mine who is now in heaven.
God is more concerned about who we are than what we do, because
what we do is always based upon who we are. God’s goal is our
conformity to the image of Jesus Christ, see
God sometimes has to hurt a
man deeply before He can use a man greatly. This statement
was made by A. W. Tozer, and it surely applies to be both women
and men. We often have to be broken of pride, self-sufficiency
and lack of compassion in order to be useful to God. Because we
live in a hurting world we have to understand hurting people to
be able to minister to them. So God allows us to experience the
hurts of this life so we can better comfort others in their
pain,
When God closes a door He
often opens a window. In other words, God closes
opportunities because He has something else waiting for us—often
something that is better for us. The idea here is that God is
faithful to His people,
As you may have heard, the day after Joe and I talked the hospital called back. They had changed their minds and offered Joe the job and he is now in Duluth. Praise God, sometimes our trials are short! Short or long, the lessons are always true and help us trust our Lord.
Your friend, in trusting God, Pastor Brian (:-}).
February 2008 Reflections on an Aunt-Nephew Relationship
This past week I had the privilege of participating in my Aunt Evelyn’s funeral service in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Before I read Scripture in the service I was able to share a few thoughts about what my aunt meant to us. As I’ve thought of her, I’ve been encouraged about the role we can play in our extended family. My aunt was a pastor’s wife. Because my Uncle Floyd pastored several churches in other states, our families grew up apart and we didn’t see my aunt and uncle a lot. But despite infrequent contacts Aunt Evelyn left an important impact upon my life that I praise God for. Here are some of the things she did that we can all emulate to make a difference for our extended family and friends too. She was an example of sincere love to God that spilled over into a sincere love for us. There was no question that Aunt Evelyn loved the Lord Jesus Christ and lived for him. As long as I knew her, 86 years old at her home-going, it was obvious that she had a growing relationship with the Lord. Several years back as we sat around a motel pool watching my kids swim she shared her testimony with me of how she came to the assurance of her salvation. That only reinforced what I had observed for many years—that Christ was a living reality in her life. I saw that in her love for the church which continued through her whole life, in her involvement in Bible study groups where she reveled in learning the Bible with others often much younger than herself, and in her encouragement of our Christian endeavors. The last time I visited her getting around with a walker, I led in prayer before I left. She spontaneously followed my prayer with a tender prayer for me that I will never forget. Aunt Evelyn finished well for the Lord. She showed us that Jesus is worth serving all the way. Younger people need that example.
She made a special effort to attend important life events. Over the years she came to two of my graduations. She came to my wedding on the proudest day of my life. She also came to the airport in Chicago to rejoice in the arrival of our adopted son from Korea. Coming to those special occasions seemed like a small effort then, but it lingers in my heart to this day. Being there said I love you, I support you, and I want you to feel encouraged. In this day in which we often have lost the support of extended family making us feel less connected and accountable, making extra efforts to attend these big occasions for one another makes us feel more connected and more accountable. We need the sense that our family cares and expects the best of us. Doing well or making the proper choices in life is often caused by the encouragement of godly adults who took time to be there.
She always spoke well of her relatives giving us a positive image of our extended family. How easy it is when family gets together to be negative and nit-pick the faults of those we know so well. We can do it without even thinking or realizing the damage we are doing to the younger generation who hear our words of criticism about aunts, uncles and cousins and sour on the family. Aunt Evelyn did the opposite. She referred to my dad as her “wonderful brother.” What brother is really that wonderful! She spoke with loving admiration of my deceased uncle in his funeral service. She regularly reminded us with gratitude of all my parents had done to care for my invalid grandmother whom I never knew when Aunt Evelyn, the only daughter, was at one time unable to be near her dear mother’s side. With comments like these she fostered appreciation and gratitude in our hearts for our family. The way we speak about others reveals the way we feel about them and ultimately the way we will treat them. Thank you Aunt Evelyn for showing us how to be respectful, appreciative, and grateful by speaking words seasoned with grace about others. You showed us how to love others.
Your friend, learning from others, Pastor Brian (:-}).
January 2008 What Will We Do with a New Year of Opportunities?
As we approach the New Year of 2008 I have
been thinking about opportunities. In
The opportunities of life
are God-given. God said to Baasha, I lifted you up from
the dust and made you leader of my people Israel,
Our God-given opportunities
are to serve His purposes. God indicted Baasha saying,
But you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people
Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins,
God will require an
accounting of our opportunities. After reigning in Israel
24 years
Since God’s Word will
ultimately prevail, true success is measured by His Word.
God announced, So I am about to consume Baasha and his house,
and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam,
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-)}.
December 2007 Is There a Connection between Your Spiritual and Physical Health?
Recently I was interviewed by a local health and wellness magazine on the relationship of spiritual to physical health. In my preparation I discovered some amazing studies like this:
"Recent studies indicate that men and women who practice in any of the mainstream faiths have above-average longevity, fewer strokes, less heart disease, less clinical depression, better immune-system function, lower blood pressure, and fewer anxiety attacks, and they are much less likely to commit suicide than the population at large. These findings come from secular medical schools and schools of public health….” (The New Republic, July 1999, 20).
Studies like these beg the question, “Why?” Here’s where it gets really fascinating. Research correlates following the Bible’s teachings with hidden health benefits. Here are just a few.
Practicing biblical faith makes you more hopeful and optimistic in times of trial. John Ortberg cites a study of heart attack patients in which two factors—loss of hope or pessimism—increased odds of death 300%. That’s a lot! These factors predicted death more accurately than any medical risk factor, including blood pressure, amount of damage to the heart, or cholesterol level. One study said, Optimistic people . . . cope with stress more effectively. The Bible is full of references that a regular practice of public and private communion with God renews our hope in His nearness and power (see Psalms 42, 46; Romans 5:1-11; James 1:2-12). This in turn lightens our load enabling us to worry less benefiting the body as well as the soul. As Ortberg writes, Hope does not just motivate people to positive action. It actually has healing power.
Practicing biblical faith makes your relationships healthier and less stressful. The Bible is replete with counsel on how to treat one another by handling anger properly, dealing with bitterness, learning to forgive, and controlling our tongue (see Ephesians 4:25-32). Not only does this please God, but it makes our relationships smoother which affects our health. A study in Time magazine reported that people in happy marriages are healthier. "Studies have shown that happily married women have less blockage in their aortas, and that happily married couples are less likely to suffer from heart disease." When a relationship is healthy and caring, the partners tend to discourage bad habits and encourage good ones, leading to fewer illnesses and more attention to health care. Treat each other as the Bible says is actually good medicine.
Practicing biblical faith helps you deal with destructive emotions like guilt. Psychiatrist Karl Menninger of the famous Menninger Clinic once said if he could convince his patients that their sins were forgiven, 75% of them could walk out the next day. Unforgiveness puts a strain on the psyche that disturbs mental soundness, but it can also sap physical energy. David said, When I kept silent [about my sin], my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. . . . my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer, Psalm 32:3-4. Following the Bible’s teaching on how to deal with sin rids the body of the weight of such guilt (see Psalm 51).
Practicing biblical faith leads you to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Christians know from Scripture that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and are to be treated with respect. Honor God with your body says 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Newsweek magazine reported a study on religion and health that indicates a person attending church weekly is less likely to become depressed, and more likely to exercise, quit smoking, and stop drinking. In other words, obeying Scripture motivates you to make healthy choices that honor the body and the God who gave it.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
November 2007 Speaking to the NMU Football Team Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking in the chapel service for the NMU football team. I began my talk by mentioning I was in Donckers Candy Store when I saw a plaque on display with the past titles of the NMU Team. The year that caught my attention was 1975, my senior year in high school. That year NMU went all the way and captured the NCAA Division II Championship by beating Western Kentucky. A young man by the name of Steve Mariucci from Iron Mountain was the quarterback of the team. Now I know where he gained his fame.
There must have been a lot of excitement on the NMU campus that Fall as the team won game after game, rolled through the playoffs, and captured the crown in Sacramento, CA where the title game was played. Everyone loves being a champion. But that was 32 years ago and there hasn't been a championship since. College football championships are very hard to repeat. U of M has only had one in the last 50 years.
I shared with the players that it is possible to be a repeat champion everyday on the football field of life where it counts most. We can be daily champions in God's arena. James 1:12 tells us how. Champions are tested. James speaks in this verse of undergoing trials. The term “trial” means to try to learn the nature or character of someone by submitting them to thorough and extensive testing. The only way we can see if someone has the heart of a champion is by how that person handles the tests of life. Tom Landry, founding coach of the Dallas Cowboys, once said, The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be. Similarly, the Lord's job is to help us face what we don't want to go through so we can become what He wants us to be.
Champions are also tough. James says we must “persevere under trial.” “Persevere” was used of someone underneath a heavy load and staying there. Rather than drop the heavy load they bear up under it. One person calls this “staying power.” That's when everything within you wants to give up but you hang in there. You show mental and spiritual toughness and you stay with it. I shared with the NMU players some areas they needed to be tough in for the Lord. Tough in our morals—When everyone else is sexually impure, the champion fights to stay pure. Tough in our ethics—When everyone else cheats to get ahead, champions won't cut corners. Tough in our beliefs—No matter how much we may be mocked, champions stand for the truth. Tough in our testimony—When following Jesus isn't popular, champions follow Him anyway.
Champions will be triumphant. Only one team could win the World Series, the Red Sox. But James says every Christian can receive the “crown of life.” I told the players that eternal life is a gift that can't be earned or deserved. It must be received as a gift from Jesus and I urged them to do just that. But the “crown of life” refers to the rewards earned in heaven by those who lived for Jesus as champions. It is the extra special victory and honor that is bestowed on those who faced the tests of life and toughed them out to bring honor to Jesus. That crown and all that it means in heaven is worth being a champion for. God wants to make something special of us. Let's accept the process that it takes to be a champion.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
October 2007 Flame Ministries Bringing Understanding Islam Seminar to Bethel This October we have the privilege of having Rev. John Hoeldtke, president of Flame Ministries from Washington State with us at Bethel. Rev. Hoeldtke will be giving a special presentation entitled Understanding Islam in the Bethel sanctuary from 6:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, October 14. The uniqueness of this seminar is that Pastor John brings a wealth of experience and a Christian perspective to his research and understanding of Islam. We’ll be informed with new insights that will help us better understand the War on Terror and its implications for our country and future. Rev. Hoeldtke has said this about his presentation: I have given this presentation in many churches on Sunday evenings and have always been well-received. Frequently the sanctuary has been full with a number of outsiders present. I think your people will not only enjoy it but, Lord willing, profit from it. In addition to the seminar on Sunday night, Pastor John will be ministering in these ways. § Saturday, October 13, 9:00-10:00 AM – Breakfast at Bethel sponsored jointly by the Outreach and Missionary Board and the Board of Elders. This one hour meeting will include breakfast and a 20-30 minute talk from Pastor John on the topic of The Importance of Evangelism in the Local Church. Sign-ups will be provided over the next several weeks for the breakfast. § Saturday, October 13, 3:00 PM – Meeting with the church staff and Board of Elders on the topic of The Emerging Church and Other Trends Affecting the Church Today. This discussion is open to anyone interested in these timely subjects. The book The Truth War by John MacArthur will be a part of this discussion. § Sunday, October 14, 8:30 AM and 11:15 AM Pastor John will be preaching in our services. Who is Rev. John Hoeldtke? Let me give you a thumbnail sketch of Pastor John. ? Graduate of Northwestern College and Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN ? Long-time former pastor in the Baptist General Conference including one-time pastor of the church attended by Dr. John Piper when he taught at Bethel University ? District Executive Minister formerly of the Colombia District of the Baptist General Conference ? Current president of Flame Ministries traveling extensively in the United States in evangelistic and Bible conference ministry ? Recently returned from India and Nepal where he has traveled many times working among Muslim peoples and with missionaries to Muslims ? Friend of Dr. Dwight Perry, District Executive Minister of the Great Lakes Baptist Conference, who was a one-time board member of Flame Ministries Plan now to attend these exciting events at Bethel. You’ll learn from and enjoy Pastor Hoeldtke. Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
September 2007 The Life of Abraham: Learning How to Live by Faith
This Fall on Sunday mornings we will begin
a series of messages on the life of Abraham. Abraham is unique
in the Bible as the only one who was called the friend of
God. He was called this three times in
The key, of course, to Abraham’s
extraordinary relationship with God was his faith. Abraham is
the preeminent example in the Bible of living by faith. He is
called the man of faith and the Father of all who
believe (see
As we anticipate this study in Abraham’s life of faith let me give you an overview of the help we will receive in our life of faith. As we will see, faith is a very practical reality.
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The call of God to a life of faith: What’s
involved?
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Why it is dangerous to compromise your faith.
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How faith solves conflict.
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How to do spiritual warfare by faith.
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How faith conquers fear.
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How faith eternally secures our future.
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How faith solves life’s problems.
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Why purity is the sign of living by faith.
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How to receive miracles by faith.
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Why your faith preserves society.
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What motivates a life of faith?
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Why you should stay sexually pure.
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Why it pays to live by faith.
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How faith solves conflict round two.
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How to pass when your faith is tested.
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How faith prepares you to die.
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How to marry the right person by faith.
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How to leave a legacy by faith. You may want to read ahead and meditate on these chapters in Genesis. God has much to encourage us in our life of faith as we retrace the steps of Father Abraham. Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
August 2007 Learning How to Be Good Leaders from King David’s Example
Warren Wiersbe has written, "A crisis isn’t what makes a person; a crisis shows what a person’s made of. A real leader looks at a crisis and asks, ‘What can I do that will best help the people?’” Israel was facing just such a crisis in 1 Kings chapter 1. Adonijah, King David’s oldest living son, took advantage of David’s old age to have himself proclaimed king over Solomon who was God’s choice. This was serious.
§ Had Adonijah succeeded a civil war would have ensued (like with Absalom). § Solomon would have been distracted from building God’s temple by this war. § The peace, unity and worship of Israel were in jeopardy. § God’s plan to make His Name great and spread His glory in the Temple was at stake.
All eyes of course would be upon weakened King David. How would he lead to keep the nation from being hijacked by an unethical opportunist like Adonijah? How David acted is a study in being good leaders for those who follow us.
Æ Good leaders have a high commitment to personal integrity (1 Kings 1:29-30). David took an oath in the name of the Lord that Solomon would be the next king as he had promised. “As surely as the Lord lives meant that David’s intended action was as certain to take place as God’s very existence.” That’s one powerful way of saying, I am committed to what I have promised. You can bank on it. Isn’t this where good leadership begins—when people know leaders hold themselves accountable to keep their commitments because their integrity is so important to them? You can trust that kind of person.
Æ Good leaders make themselves accountable to other leaders who have personal integrity and pure motives (1 Kings 1:32-37). David called on three men—Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan the prophet—to carry out Solomon’s coronation as king. Remember that Nathan was the prophet who confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba at the risk of his own life if the king became enraged. He was no “yes man” who would not confront David again if he were acting in the flesh. All Israel would trust David’s actions because they trusted Nathan. Good leaders want accountability. They want people around them who are committed more to the Lord than to them. This keeps them correctable when they err. They want this safeguard.
Æ Good leaders are careful to conform their actions to God’s biblical instructions (1 Kings 1:38-40). David had Nathan coronate Solomon king. Adonijah did not invite Nathan the prophet to his coronation, v. 10. Since the prophet was God’s mouthpiece, by doing the anointing it was clear the king’s rulership was not absolute but delegated by God. This kept the king humble and fearful lest he misuse God’s rule. David was following God’s instructions while Adonijah ignored them. Good leaders want people to know they are under God’s authority. The best way to do that is to carefully follow God’s revealed will in the Bible.
Æ Good leaders balance both compassion and strength in their decisions (1 Kings 1:50-53). When Adonijah’s plot was thwarted he begged for Solomon to spare his life. Solomon gave him a second chance to prove himself. Solomon showed compassion when many kings would’ve administered justice to such a traitor. But Solomon also issued a warning to Adonijah not to try it again. Good leaders are gracious to the erring but strong with the self-willed. Knowing we care and are strong enough to stand makes people feel safe under our leading.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
July 2007 How Much Does God Know and Why Does It Matter?
Last Sunday a youth group from Glory Baptist Church, a sister church of ours in Aitkin, MN, worshiped with us on their way to a mission’s trip. As they left church the youth pastor’s wife gave me a prayer request slip for three of their teens. It turns out that they come from homes ravaged by one of the very issues mentioned in the Sunday message. The youth pastor and his wife seemed appreciative that this had been addressed from the pulpit. I am sure they were hoping it would reinforce their efforts to show these teens that God offers them a better life free from the destruction of sin.
As I reflected on all of this, I thought how interesting that the very Sunday this youth group would be in our church this issue would be dealt with from the pulpit. How interesting that three teens living the reality of this at home would travel across three states and hear that God offers them the hope of freedom from the very thing they have suffered under their whole lives. Accidental? I think not. I think God arranged it so their trip would coincide with the preaching schedule so these kids would hear the very message that would offer them direction.
Incidents like this confirm to me that God exhaustively knows the future including what humans will do before they’ve even decided to do it. That’s why I think the teaching of Open Theism is a dangerous error that undermines our trust in God’s sufficiency. Open Theism is the teaching that because our future human decisions have not occurred yet they do not exist. Therefore they cannot be known. Since even God cannot know what does not exist (so it goes), part of the future is open and humans have the freedom to determine the future, even a future that surprises God. Proponents of this view argue that this let’s God off the hook for allowing certain tragedies to occur. If God knew, for example, that Hitler would murder six million Jews and many multitudes more, why did God simply not create Hitler or at least interfere with his path to power after he was born. One pastor I know said that God didn’t know that 9-11 was going to happen. This seems to make God look more compassionate and we have an answer to give people for all the suffering in the world. God just doesn’t know what free people will do. He’s as surprised as we are. The problem is that it diminishes God and a diminished God is less deserving of our wonder and our trust.
Where does the Bible fall on this? Well,
consider one passage—Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial in
We serve a big God Who knows and can orchestrate the tiniest details. Because He knows the beginning from the end He can work all things together, even tragedies, for our ultimate good. Because nothing surprises Him, He can accomplish all His good purposes for us. Such a God is worthy of our worship and trust.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
June 2007 Dear Beloved Friend(s), Yesterday my family and I had the privilege of entertaining one of my cousins and her husband on the evening of their 20th wedding anniversary. They came to Mackinac Island for their anniversary and on their way home to Minnesota wanted to spend some time with us. We had not seen each other for over a decade. They met Joy and Jay for the first time. I was touched that on the very day of their anniversary they would take the time to spend part of it with us. As Mark and Linda left I thought how good it was to reconnect with family. We’ve not been able to be close due to distance and busy lives. Yet there was a yearning in our hearts to connect with each other. Something inside said, We are Obergs and we shouldn’t let that relationship slip away. That relationship is worth working at and giving time to. Frankly, I felt so loved last night by my cousin and her husband that I opened up and enjoyed myself in a way that just felt good. I guess I experienced the power of love in a tangible way because they took the time to care and reach out to us. All of this has caused me to reexamine my own love toward others. If it felt this good to be loved by family I haven’t seen in a long time, what about the people I see everyday? Am I showing them the kind of love that will bless them and bring me fulfillment and joy in return? And what is that kind of love? A spiritual love that is fulfilling (love for your brothers). “Love for your brothers” comes from the one word philadelphia which means affectionate love for the family of God. It refers to a spiritual relationship on a deep level that satisfies the need for closeness. So showing this kind of love is very rewarding because it touches our deepest longings for relationship. A sacrificial love that is demanding (love one another). “Love one another” comes from the word agape that refers to sacrificial love. It forces us out of our comfort zones and requires us to think about what is best for the other person. That is very tough because we have to act on the basis of what others need not how we feel about them. So it requires choosing on the basis of mature thinking and refusing to let our emotions rule (or overrule) our actions. A sincere love that is demonstrating (sincere love). “Sincere love . . . from the heart” means love in actions not just superficial words. Peter would agree that love is a verb not a noun. While love certainly includes what we say to others, it cannot stop there. Our actions must back up our words showing that the one we say we love is valued by how we treat them. A steady love that is continuing (deeply from the heart). “Deeply” means constantly or continuously, not relaxing or tiring. People will disappoint us. But the beauty of Christian love is that we can keep on loving since Christian love never fails because it comes from God.
Your friend, in His love, Pastor Brian (:-}). May 2007 Dear Beloved Friend(s), Bible prophecy is a fascinating subject to
study. It is amazing to see how the prophetic portions of
Scripture fit together to give us a panoramic view of the end
times. But if we are not careful we can get so caught up in
figuring out a timeline of events that we lose the purpose of
prophecy. Prophecy was never given just to satisfy our
curiosity or make us experts who’ve got it all mapped out, but
to prepare us to be watchful, godly and busy in the King’s
business until He returns. A case in point is the amazing dream
given to Nebuchadnezzar in But the opening part of this chapter actually focuses on something else. Vv. 1-14 demonstrate the total inability of the most powerful and educated nation on earth to be able to discern the course of world history. Three things are highlighted: 1) Babylon’s best and brightest could not tell the king his dream. 2) Babylon’s gods were not revealing gods who disclosed their plans to people (v. 11). 3) Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard who was to kill all the wise men including Daniel (v. 14), means uncertain, an apt description of the total confusion of human wisdom in spiritual matters. Vv. 14-23 are a complete contrast to this. Here Daniel and his three friends pray and God reveals the dream and its meaning to Daniel that night. Daniel immediately gives God all the glory by composing a praise psalm extolling Him (vv. 20-23). This psalm highlights Babylon’s utter weakness and inability with God’s power and ability. Notice the contrast in this chart:
Doesn’t all of this beg a very practical
question? On which side of the ledger do we live? Do we
approach our problems and difficulties from the left side or
the right side? The God Daniel worshiped and believed in is
the same God we worship and serve. He can give us wisdom to
know what we should do and He can extend His mighty hand to
help us in any situation. So, do our problems cause us to
live like the Babylonians—confused, helpless, despairing and
frustrated? Or do our problems help us to return to Daniel’s
praise psalm and rehearse what God is like for us—wise,
powerful, in control, revealing truth, and answering prayer?
It’s our birthright to live on the right side. When we drift
to the left side as we often do let’s say, I’m not a
Babylonian but a child of God. I’m going back to the right
side where I belong with my God. April 2007 Dear Beloved Friend(s),
The last time we went to Muskegon we stayed with my father. While there we got to talking about the old, wooden fruit bowl that has sat on my parent’s kitchen counter since as long as I can remember. We had always been told that it was made by my Grandpa Bergman when he was in a sanitarium for Tuberculosis. Dad reminded me that the sanitarium was in Marquette. A few more details also emerged. My Grandma Bergman moved to Rapid River to stay with relatives so she could be closer to make visits. And Grandpa was there being treated for about a whole year which was much longer than I had realized. All of this piqued my interest as to where the old sanitarium in Marquette was and whether there were any buildings left on the sight. We discovered through some Bethel friends that the facility was called Morgan Heights and that it was located on CR 492. We drove less than ten minutes from our home to where a sign still locates the property and followed the dirt road back to a picturesque area surrounded by high, rocky cliffs where some of the original buildings still stand, albeit boarded up. A former member of Bethel told me the building that housed the patients is no longer standing, but some of the buildings still left look large enough to contain power tools for a wood working shop. I wonder if it might’ve been in one of those buildings that Grandpa made the fruit bowl that still holds oranges, apples and bananas on my father’s counter. I almost wanted to ask Dad if I could take the bowl back to its home in Marquette, but then where would he keep his fruit?! I just couldn’t do it to him! One other detail was just revealed to me yesterday that has a Bethel connection to Morgan Heights. The Bethel youth group used to go out and hold gospel services for the patients. I am not sure what decade Grandpa was at Morgan Heights, but it is intriguing to wonder if a Bethel youth group ever went out and shared the gospel while he was there. If so, his grandson has a reason to be eternally grateful to the faithful ministry of Bethel. For another seed would’ve been planted in Grandpa’s life that ultimately bore fruit for eternal salvation. You see, Grandpa Bergman was a tough, old lumberjack who ran his own lumber camp down in Gulliver, MI. He didn’t get to church all the time but heard enough of the gospel to know that he needed a Savior. He lived with us the last few years of his life dying in 1964 when I was six years old. Perhaps my most precious memory before he died was one day when our pastor came over to visit with him in the last year or two of his life. Grandpa had regrets from time to time about his life and must’ve also lacked assurance of his salvation. That day, as a curious little grandson peeked around the hallway corner, I watched as my pastor and grandfather, with tear filled eyes, knelt down at the living room couch and prayed together. The tears and kneeling told me that the prayer was about something very soul searching, certainly Grandpa’s salvation. I learn several things from this personal story. Gospel seeds were planted in Grandpa’s heart over many years from many different sources. Was the Bethel youth group one of those sources out at Morgan Heights? I may never know ‘til heaven. But those seeds ultimately bore fruit in an old man under conviction seeking the assurance of eternal life. We never know how a word we have shared will be part of a chain that brings someone into God’s kingdom. God is faithful and His Word never returns void. Let’s keep sharing it.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
March 2007 Dear Beloved Friend(s), If you are like me you still can't quite get over last Sunday's kick-off to our Capital Expansion Campaign. The practicality of the new structure, the sense of unity among our people, and the commitment of our leadership are all causes for great rejoicing. The last one in particular is such an encouraging sign. That fourteen families among the leadership of our dear church would commit $163,000.00 dollars shows a depth of dedication, ownership of the vision, and belief that God is leading us that is simply inspiring. I spoke by phone later in the week with a visitor who was present on Sunday. He mentioned that he felt he and his family were visiting by divine appointment. He said that the presentation gave him the impression that Bethel's leadership is Spirit-led in how they are operating. That is certainly what we desire to be. As I ponder all of this, I have been thinking of the first building project in the Bible in Exodus when the Israelites funded the Tabernacle in the wilderness. A number of guiding principles can encourage us as we move forward. § They were responding to God's vision for them (Exodus 25:8). We aren't hearing a voice from Mt. Sinai giving detailed instructions about our building, but we feel just as certain that our Lord is leading us. That's the most important thing. This has to be His vision.
§
The purpose of the building was worship and
education (Exodus 25:8-9). God said He would dwell among His
people in the Tabernacle and that they were to make it exactly
according to the pattern He gave them. The details were so key
because each of the pieces of furniture would teach vital truth
about God and ultimately point to their fulfillment in Jesus
Christ (see
§ The Lord blessed His people with all the wealth they needed to fund the project (Exodus 12:35-36). The Lord gave poor slaves who had nothing such favor in the eyes of the Egyptians that they gave them all the material wealth the Israelites asked for when they left Egypt. God was blessing them materially so they might be able to give when the time was right. God will do the same for us. If He is leading, He will give His people the wealth they need so that when the time is right they will be able to give it to His cause. § The offering was given willingly (Exodus 25:2). The interesting thing is that giving to the Tabernacle was a matter of personal choice (freewill offerings, see 36:3). Only those whose hearts moved them to give were asked to give. God is always more interested in the heart than in the gift. And so He asks us to give willingly, cheerfully from a heart that is in love with Him. § The offerings were so generous that Moses told them to stop giving (Exodus 36:4-7). What an exciting experience! They were so inspired by God’s vision that they gave more generously than anyone could have expected. What a sense of joy, unity and purpose they all must have felt. Maybe that’s the most exciting thing of all—to know we are partners together in something God is doing that will help create lasting results in people’s lives for eternity. Amen! Your friend, Pastor Brian
(:-}).
February 2007
Dear Beloved Friend(s),
I was struck recently by the analysis of H. B. London from Focus On The Family who said pastors fall into sin for three main reasons: unresolved conflict at home, lack of accountability, and lack of intimacy with God. As I have examined my own life in these areas and asked for God’s help, I realized that these three areas deal with our major relationships—our relationships at home, our relationships with other believers, and our relationship with God. Satan knows that if he can tempt us to be inauthentic, superficial, or neglectful in any of these three areas we will grow weak and vulnerable to the seduction of sin. Let’s consider lack of accountability.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive the power of sin over him, and the more disastrous is this isolation. My own observation is that serious compromise in a believer is often preceded or hastened by isolation from other believers. Consider the counsel of these well-know verses.
I wonder about us. Are we less connected to the body of Christ than we used to be? Have we justified our isolation with “good” reasons or just drifted without much thought? Are there temptations we are struggling with all alone that we have not confided to a mature believer that we trust who will pray, encourage, and direct us? Are we being inauthentic skimming over inconsistencies in our Christian walk that need to be confronted and corrected before they grow more serious? What believer in the body is close to us and knows us well enough that they can speak to us about concerns without us taking offence? We need to ask these questions don’t we?
There are many wonderful opportunities to grow deeper in accountability here at Bethel. Our Adult Bible Fellowships, small groups, and church ministries offer great chances for relationship building. Added to that, are many mature believers who have room for an honest seeker in their circle of friends. Remember, to keep your iron sharp you need accountability.
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
January 2007
Dear Beloved Friend(s),
If you have ever wondered what heaven is
like,
w Heaven is a place of great celebration (vv. 9, 10a). The saints in heaven were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: . . . The images here are emblematic of celebrants who have experienced a great victory and are jubilant with their good fortune. So even though these believers suffered greatly (v. 16, starvation, exposure and cruel death), they are now celebrating the victory won for them because they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb (v. 14). This reminds us that the celebration of heaven is the celebration of complete victory over sin—our own personal sin and the sins committed against us. What will the joy be like in a place where evil is forever defeated and banished?
w Heaven is a place of worship (vv. 10-12). The theme of heaven’s worship is salvation and the character of the God who provided it through the Lamb. It is interesting that seven qualities of God are listed in v. 12 emphasizing the perfection of the God who is worthy of our worship. Who God is and the great salvation He has accomplished are the center of all true worship.
w Heaven is a place of service (v. 15a). The saints in heaven are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. Far from being a place of idleness we will be busy serving God. John Walvoord wrote, Those who have served well on earth will have a ministry in heaven. And without the limitations we experience here!
w Heaven is a place of safety (vv. 15b-16). Verse 15 says that he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. This oriental image suggested protection from one’s enemies by a benefactor who would give hiding and security to one fleeing from enemies. So in heaven all the fears that beset us now about our health, wellbeing, and safety will forever be removed as we dwell secure under the protection of the King on His throne.
w Heaven is a place of satisfaction (v. 17a). The Lamb . . . will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. What could be more satisfying than well-fed sheep lying down near springs of refreshing water free from the threat of harm? This pastoral scene suggests contentedness, soul-satisfaction, and the enjoyment of life to its fullest. It is the promise of Jesus fully realized: I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.
w Heaven is a place of no more sorrow (v. 17b). With all of the painful memories we will have, one wonders how it will be possible to enjoy heaven. But God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Somehow God in His goodness will remove all the painful memories so we will remember them no more. What a welcome condition!
For those who say we don’t know what heaven will be like, I can only reply, What we do know makes me glad I am going there!
Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}).
December 2006 Dear Beloved Friend(s), This week at our Tuesday Men’s Bible Study
we examined
In
Your friend in the mission, Pastor Brian (:-}).
November, 2006 Dear Beloved Friend(s),
Derek Prime, mentor to radio preacher Alistair Begg of Truth for Life, wrote that before stepping into the pulpit to preach God’s Word he prays, Help me, Lord, to speak as in Your sight, and to be prepared to fall into the ground and die so that I may bear much fruit (p. 79). That grabbed me in light of last month’s article that Dying is the key to serving.
Truly, truly, I
say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and
dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in
this world will keep it for eternal life. (Jesus in
But just what does dying to self really involve? Jesus is talking about a sacrificial life. In the Old Testament the requirement of animal sacrifices was to teach this very thing. We learn:
§ Israel sacrificed the first. We must die to selfishness.
God required Israel to sacrifice the firstfruits of their grain, wine, and animals (Proverbs 3:9). Firstfruits means that we must give God first place in our lives – first place with our time, our money, and our gifts in service. Some believers on payday write their first check for their tithes and offerings before they pay any bills or go shopping. It is their simple way to remind them that God must come first in everything. In order for that to happen we must die to selfishness.
§ Israel sacrificed the best. We must die to half-hearted mediocrity.
God required that the animals sacrificed to Him be unblemished and spotless without defect (Malachi 1:8, 14). Cain just discharged a duty but Abel sacrificed his very best. So dying to self means whatever we do for the Lord we do to our very best. Doing that means dying to half-hearted mediocrity. Dr. Paul Dixon once said, Anything connected with Jesus ought to have excellence written all over it. Excellence means we die to laziness, shoddiness, and minimal effort. We do our best for Jesus.
§ Israel sacrificed from authentic lives. We must die to hypocrisy.
In
Here, then, is a sacrificial life: it gives the first by dying to selfishness, it gives the best by dying to mediocrity, and it does it from an authentic life by dying to hypocrisy.
Remember, dying is the key to serving. Your friend, Pastor Brian (:-}). |
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